Description
Ina Garten’s black-eyed peas offer a comforting southern classic with robust flavor and hearty texture. Packed with smoky bacon and aromatic herbs, this simple dish brings warmth to your table and satisfies with its rustic charm.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (454 g) dried black-eyed peas, soaked overnight
- ½ stick (2 oz/57 g) butter or margarine
- 1 large onion, cut into big cubes
- ¼ green bell pepper, cored, seeded, and chopped
- 1 large shallot, quartered
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 3–4 cups water
Instructions
- Preparation: Drain soaked black-eyed peas, discarding the soaking liquid and setting legumes aside for cooking.
- Sautéing Base: In a large skillet over medium heat, melt butter and sauté finely chopped onions and shallots until translucent and fragrant, creating a flavorful foundation.
- Initial Cooking: Increase heat to medium-high, add drained black-eyed peas, stirring to coat with buttery mixture. Cover and cook for 8 minutes to develop depth of flavor.
- Liquid Infusion: Transfer pea mixture to a spacious pot, submerge completely with water. Bring to a vigorous boil, then introduce green bell peppers, kosher salt, and black pepper to enhance the dish’s complexity.
- Simmering and Finishing: Reduce heat to low, allow peas to simmer uncovered for 50-60 minutes. Monitor texture, aiming for tender legumes that maintain their structural integrity. Remove from heat and let rest for 5 minutes to allow flavors to meld and harmonize.
Notes
- Soak Strategically: Overnight hydration ensures even cooking and reduces preparation time, making the legumes more digestible and flavorful.
- Butter Basics: Using high-quality butter creates a rich, aromatic base that enhances the black-eyed peas’ natural earthy taste.
- Simmer Smartly: Maintain a gentle, consistent heat during the final cooking stage to prevent mushy texture and preserve the peas’ delicate structure.
- Season Sensitively: Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper should be added gradually, tasting and adjusting to achieve a balanced flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 10 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg